He was born Aug. 7, 1901 in Yates Center, Kansas to James Morton Culver and Hattie Mae (Pinkering) Culver. He married Cathryn Rose Ferrell in 1921 in Coffeyville, Kansas. She preceded him in death on June 14, 1974. He was later married to Grace Beck of St. George, Utah, who preceded him in death two years later. For the last 20 years of his life he was married to Verda (Wardle) Culver.

Lafe lived in Byers, Colo., until after WWI. He moved to Casper, where he worked for Natrona County building roads and bridges for 10 years. He then went to work for Wyoming Automotive Co. and was promoted to a branch store in Rock Springs where he worked for ten years.

He later moved to Lusk, where he went into business with his brother Buck Culver, in an independent repair shop. They opened a Chrysler-Plymouth-Jeep dealership. He later had a partnership with his son-in-law Carl Peterson, Culver & Son Parts Store.

Lafe and Cathryn retired and wintered in Coolidge, Ariz., then moved to St. George, Utah. He served in several civic offices in his 35 years in Lusk, including county school board, hospital board, county fair board, draft board, President of Lions Club, Master of Masons Harmony Lodge #24, Superintendent of Christian Church, Deacon of Congregational Church and an Elder in the Church of Christ.

Lafe is survived by his wife Verda Wardle Culver of St. George; children, Fern Peterson of Lusk, Carmen Berta of Pinedale, Lafe Culver of Troutdale, Ore., Kenneth Malmborg of Cheyenne, Aaron Culver of Cheyenne, Evelyn Culver of Rock Springs, and Tom Culver of Torrington, WY; three step children: Stan Wardle of Duchesne, Utah, Larry Wardle of Oakley, Utah and Mervin Wardle of Duchesne, Utah; 24 grandchildren, many great-grandchildren, several great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, one son Denis Culver, and one daughter Paula Malmborg.